CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Buchan House Care Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that infection prevention and control measures were being followed, including PPE, testing, hygiene, safe admissions and visiting arrangements.
- Effective?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, August 2020
Buchan House Care Home was inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured that infection prevention and control measures were in place.
Inspectors visited on 11 August 2020 as part of a national review of infection prevention and control in care homes. The visit was announced and focused only on measures to prevent and manage coronavirus infections.
They were assured that the home used PPE safely, arranged testing, admitted people safely, maintained hygiene and had an up-to-date infection control policy. Visitors were booked at spaced times, had their temperatures checked and were given PPE.
The home was inspected but not rated. This means the report does not give an overall quality rating or ratings for the wider areas of care.
Visitor safety
Visitors were booked at suitable, spaced times. They had their temperature checked and were given PPE.
“Visitors had their temperature checked on arrival and were also provided with PPE to wear during their visit.” from the report
Individual risk assessments
People living at the home and staff had individual COVID-19 risk assessments. Extra cleaning was introduced in the dementia unit.
“People who lived at the service and staff had an individual COVID-19 risk assessment in place that provided information around any increased risks.” from the report
Support for people with dementia
The home tried to reduce anxiety caused by staff wearing face masks by using a visual smile for reassurance.
“A 'smile on a stick' was introduced so that staff could hold up a smile to their face mask to give people reassurance.” from the report
Infection control arrangements
Inspectors were assured that the home used PPE safely, arranged testing and had suitable hygiene and infection control arrangements.
“We were assured that the provider was using PPE effectively and safely.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are visitor bookings, temperature checks and PPE managed now?
- 02How often are individual COVID-19 risk assessments reviewed and updated?
- 03What extra cleaning and other support are provided for people living with dementia?
- 04How does the home make sure people are admitted safely and that residents and staff can access testing?
- 05What are the home's current arrangements for preventing and managing infection outbreaks?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control measures only; the service was inspected but not rated and the wider areas of care were not assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 25 August 2020 by an AI system and checked against the report text: every quoted line appears in the report. It is a guide to the report, not a substitute for it. Read the full report on cqc.org.uk.
What inspectors found, March 2020
Buchan House Care Home was rated Good in all five areas; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care with strong management.
This was an unannounced planned inspection. Inspectors spoke with 12 people living in the home, eight visitors and nine staff. They observed care, reviewed three care plans and checked records about how the home was run.
The inspectors found that people were safe and received effective care. Medicines, staffing, infection control and risk management were handled well. Staff had the training and support they needed. People spoke positively about the food, activities and access to healthcare.
People were treated with kindness, dignity and respect. Their choices, communication needs, personal preferences and end of life wishes were recorded. The home had systems for handling complaints and checking quality, and staff and relatives were asked for their views.
The overall rating was Good, and all five areas were rated Good. This was unchanged from the previous inspection, which was also rated Good and published on 17 August 2017.
Safe medicines and staffing
Medicines records were accurate and staff had their medicines skills checked. Inspectors also found enough staff on the day to meet people's needs promptly.
“Staff kept accurate records of all medicines ordered, administered and disposed of.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
People and visitors described a friendly service. Inspectors saw positive relationships between people and staff, with privacy, dignity and independence respected.
“We saw positive interactions between people and staff, who clearly enjoyed each other's company.” from the report
Personalised support
Care records included people's likes, dislikes, communication needs and end of life wishes. Staff knew people well and supported their choices.
“People's care records continued to be personalised and gave staff guidance on people's likes and dislikes” from the report
Activities and community links
People could take part in varied activities, including games, walks, clubs, trips and individual interests. The home also maintained links with the local community.
“Activities continued to be organised, there was a wide range of things for people to do and to get involved in.” from the report
Strong oversight
The management team used audits, monitoring visits, meetings and feedback to identify and address improvements. Staff said they were supported by managers and colleagues.
“Robust systems were in place to monitor the quality of care being delivered to people.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How would you assess and update my relative's risks, including falls, pressure sores and eating or drinking difficulties?
- 02How will you record and follow my relative's personal preferences, communication needs and end of life wishes?
- 03What activities would be suitable for my relative, including individual activities and links with the local community?
- 04How many staff are normally on each shift, and how do you adjust staffing when people's needs change?
- 05How can relatives raise concerns, and how will the home keep them informed about the response?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five CQC key questions; the previous rating was also Good. This explanation was written from the published report of 27 March 2020 by an AI system and checked against the report text: every quoted line appears in the report. It is a guide to the report, not a substitute for it. Read the full report on cqc.org.uk.
Every inspection of Buchan House Care Home
3 rated inspections over 5 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- August 2020Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- March 2020Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- August 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- September 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- October 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 24 November 2010.
Ratings and report dates from the Care Quality Commission, Open Government Licence v3.0. A home can also be visited without a new rating being published, so the timeline shows published inspections.
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17 live-in carers within about an hour of Cambridgeshire
These are self-employed carers on PrimeCarers, the introductory agency that runs this directory. Each has a profile with their own rates and reviews from families, and you choose who to talk to.
Most charge £1,020 to £1,200 a week. 14 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
Every carer has had an enhanced DBS check in the last 18 months, ID and right-to-work checks and an online interview. Their skills and training are for you to check with them. Carers set their own rates, and who is free changes week to week.